Transport Planner jobs
Logistics and transport are important aspects of any business. After all, ensuring goods are shipped out on time, accurately, within budget and to the quality standards that customers expect is essential for the company’s success, whether you’re carrying out a single home delivery or despatching large amounts of stock to suppliers and retail outlets.
With so much at stake, it’s no wonder Transport Planners play such a vital role in the logistics and supply chain of an organisation.
The person in this role is responsible for planning vehicle schedules and deliveries. You generally work within a team and occasionally on a shift rota basis.
Depending on the employer and nature of the business, transport planners will be tasked with organising the fleet - from ensuring vehicles are running, through to maintaining good fuel supplies - as well as scheduling drivers and communicating with delivery teams to ensure they stay on schedule.
You may also be responsible for dealing with returns and discrepancies in a timely manner in order to keep customer satisfaction to a high level.
The skills required
As a Transport Planner, you should possess excellent communication skills. You will be in nearly constant communication with drivers, the traffic office and possibly customers and you should be able to explain your expectations and requirements clearly in order to prevent misunderstandings or delays in service.
Organisation skills and an ability to keep meticulous records is a must. You should also be familiar with the relevant laws and legislation and a good working knowledge of the various technologies used within the industry can be beneficial.
The Transport Planner will need to be confident in communicating to a team of drivers, taking care of staffing and training issues, wherever necessary, and providing motivation and leadership.
Transport Planner Jobs in Lowestoft
On the north-eastern tip of Suffolk, 7 miles (11 km) south of Great Yarmouth and 21 miles (33 km) south east of Norwich, is the port town of Lowestoft. The town has a long history as a fishing and freight port town, and some of the earliest evidence of settlement in the UK has been found here. Unfortunately, the town's location and its harbouring of vessels and materials for the war efforts meant that it was bombed and shelled during both world wars, as was the case with many towns on the east coast.
Lowestoft got its railway link in the 19th century and this helped the town to boom as its trawlers' catches could be taken away to the cities quickly. The railway also stimulated other industry to set up there, as it made imports and exports simple by land and sea. Until the 1990s there were several multinational companies in the town, but they have largely gone now, and tourism plays a vital role – Lowestoft does have very attractive sandy beaches. Another well known industry was Lowestoft porcelain, which was among the finest in the world in its day.
It is not uncommon for Transport Planner jobs to become available in Lowestoft and the surrounding area as the docks are still active, even if they are not at the same level as they were fifty years ago. There is still a major Birds Eye factory in the town, and the headquarters of Hoseasons Holidays is located there. Much employment comes from the oil and gas industries, too, and recently Lowestoft has become a key site for the manufacture of renewable energy equipment, from solar panels to offshore wind turbines. There is a population of around 65,000 and several ,moderately populated towns along the coast, which can all add up to a reasonably active logistics and supply chain sector.
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Discover Transport Planner positions with Cast UK
If you’re looking for a Transport Planner job, Cast UK can provide the advice and assistance you need.
We work with clients and candidates in locations across the country to match the best talent to every role. To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Transport Planner for your business or find you a job as a Transport Planner then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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